Summary
Despite romance being a more and more widespread mechanic with each ofBethesda’s titles lately, it was practically unheard of in its earlier efforts. Of course, that didn’t stop the modders from having their fun, but it’s a little more user-friendly when your romance options are various fleshed out characters rather than anime characters in maid outfits or sapient deathclaws (also in maid outfits).
Nowadays, you’ve probably come to expect a romance system of some sort from any new Bethesda game. Finding someone for your player character to snuggle up with does wonders for engagement, after all. They may not be the deepest connections you’ll find in gaming, but that doesn’t mean these characters aren’t worth your time. Here are some of the best romance options Bethesda games have to offer.
9Ahnassi - Morrowind
The Proto ‘Special Friend’
You probably thought there wasn’t anything for all you paramours in Bethesda’s audience before Skyrim introduced marriage. But The Elder Scrolls 3: Morrowind actually included one interesting romanceable character nearly a decade prior, and she remains one of the more unique interactions in the series to this day.
The Khajit monk Ahnassi is a low-ranking member of the Thieves Guild you can find in Pelagiad, and if you’re playing as a male character, you can complete an oddly intricate quest that initiates a romantic relationship with her.It’s no Ellie and Dina, but you owe it to yourself to check out this surprisingly sweet little side path next time you boot up Morrowind.
Ahnassi is the only character on this list restricted by gender.
8Andreja - Starfield
Having Her Fall In Love With You Is Probably Safer Than The Alternative
Starfieldonly hasfour love interests to choose from, which presumably means Bethesda put extra effort into each one. Whether or not that’s true is up for debate, but you can’t deny there’s something truly intriguing about Andreja.
As a new-ish member of Constellation, the mysterious and deadly Andreja is an enigma from every angle. As you grow closer and learn more about her, you can feel her hardened exterior softening a little, making the romance itself feel more natural and satisfying. Needless to say, she has a big revelation for you later on, but no obstacle can stand in the way of true love, right?
7Mjoll The Lioness - Skyrim
Hard To Beat A Sword As A Wedding Gift
The romance and marriage system in Skyrimis rather infamously seen as a bit shallow. Simply wearing the right jewelry is all it takes. While that could be a delightfully cynical commentary on real world society, it doesn’t exactly make for a very satisfying meet cute. But it still involves some genuinely enjoyable characters, including Mjoll the Lioness.
You can find Mjoll roaming around Riften, lamenting the loss of her sword. Once you find her sword, you can ask her to marry you. Tale as old as time. But the brevity of your courtship shouldn’t discount how much fun she is to have at your side during your travels, as she’s a capable warrior with plenty of stories to tell. Her friend Aerin also tags along, making for a quality enemy distraction during battle.
6Amundsen Barrett - Starfield
The Life Of Your Adventuring Party
Barrett is one of the first major characters you meet in Starfield, and his charisma is enough to keep anybody enraptured. Never mind that you get attacked by pirates shortly after meeting him, he also gives you your first ship. Fair trade-off.
Barrett’s endless charm works on everyone, including you, if you’re lucky. But he’s also got some secrets of his own, as things tend to go. Bring him with you on your own adventures and he’ll be more than happy to open up. Just remember, he has no off switch.
5Robert MacCready - Fallout 4
He’s Ready To Be Your Guiding Lamplight
Fallout 4is the home of Bethesda’s arguably most popular romances, and it’s also sad dad time. MacCready is not only a returning character from Fallout 3, but he’s a grizzled mercenary who’s just trying to help his kid. That’s a double threat right there.
You find MacCready in Goodneighbor’s Third Rail bar, and he’s worth having as a companion even without the romance. But he’s particularly sweet when you do finally get together. He even likes it when you steal, so no worries about ‘accidentally’ swiping something before you realized it was already owned.
4Curie - Fallout 4
She Doesn’t Need A Scalpel To Touch Your Heart, But She Does Have A Scalpel
If MacCready is sweet when being romanced, Curie is positively saccharine at all times. You originally meet her as a particularly advanced medical robotin Vault 81and, if you bring her with you, eventually get to help her transfer her consciousness into another body, effectively making her one of Fallout 4’s many synth characters.
Romancing her as, essentially, someone who only just became human might feel a bit weird in terms of power dynamics. But she’s actually not the only robot who shows interest in romance, as you can meet another who potentially marries a human in Diamond City. That understandably might not fully mitigate the concerns for some players, but it’s still very easy to see why so many fell in love with her bubbly French-accented enthusiasm.
3Sam Coe - Starfield
Butch Cassidy And Sam Coe’s Kid
Getting back into sad dad territory, Sam Coe bucks the trend by being more in the modestly melancholy area. You quickly meet him when you join Constellation in Starfield, and he’s got that ‘cowboy but in space’ vibe that people will absolutely adopt if interplanetary travel becomes a widespread thing here in reality.
But while he’s a genuinely enjoyable companion to have around, his biggest perk might arguably be his daughter, Cora. Since you don’t get many radiant conversations between the people on your ship, it’s refreshing to hear the two of them bantering on your journeys through space. Maybe she’ll listen to her new adoptive parent more if you’re also her captain.
2Hancock - Fallout 4
Most Notable For Being An Effective Politician And Nothing Else
Hancock is still one of thebest ghoul characters in Fallouteven after Walton Goggins helped a lot of people learn something new about themselves in the Prime Video TV series. No, you’re not the only one who likes Goggins' ghoul in THAT way. It’s okay. You’re among friends.
Many players love Hancock for similar reasons, and it’s not difficult to see why. He’s chaotic and charismatic when he needs to be, but also knows when to do the right thing for the people of Goodneighbor. He’s even got a cool hat. There must be something about hats.
1Piper - Fallout 4
Would Definitely Flirt With You Through Headlines
Some characters are popular for a reason, and Piper has many reasons. Bethesda put a lot of work into who will usually be one of the first romanceable companions you meet in Fallout 4, and it shows. Piper is as charming as you’d expect from a hard-hitting journalist, and her penchant for banter is second to none.
Piper is the whole package: compassionate, witty, can bullseye a radroach, what’s not to love? Plus, she gives you the indispensable Gift of Gab perk when you max out her affinity, increasing the XP you earn from persuasion checks and discovering new locations. Also, she has a cool hat too. Point proven.
